Maximalist pop is surely JW Ridley’s area of expertise, as first heard in solo effort ‘1990’, a sweeping, out-reaching ballad, and now in the decidedly more uptempo single ‘Blitz’. In contrast to the stark chords, simple lyrics and experimentalist electronics of ‘1990’, Ridley’s newest track sounds like another artist entirely. It’s ‘80s synth-pop laced with arresting shoegaze guitars, and of course led by Ridley’s dulcet tone, which this time veers away from a singular question instead oozing statement sentences. Guitar stabs and spacey synths also add to the drama of ‘Blitz’, which further identifies this JW Ridley as a bold, heartfelt newcomer. - HT